Asides

“Inaugural Memories” of An Obama Volunteer

We had become so engrossed we failed to realize that at last, VIPs and celebrities had begun occupying seats around the Capitol’s Inaugural platform.  As I looked up at the Capitol, a sight I had loved since early childhood, it seemed more majestic than ever, gleaming white in the late morning sunlight.  Five American flags, each from a different period of the nation’s history, hung down the Capitol’s west front.  I recalled the irony that slaves had done much of the labor in the building of both the Capitol and the White House – both cherished monuments to a “free” society. 

Later that day Michelle Obama – a direct descendant of slaves – would move into the White House as its lovely, elegant new First Lady.  President Lincoln, one of Barack Obama’s heroes, had played a major role in updating the Capitol Dome.  The original dome had become proportionally too small for a Capitol that had to be enlarged as new states entered the Union, thus adding to the number of representatives and senators in Congress.  During the Civil War, construction of the present dome ceased for a time.  Lincoln insisted that it be finished, even as fighting continued, as a symbol of the United States that he was determined to preserve. 

We turned to the Jumbotron to follow and comment upon the happenings on the Inaugural platform.  Very soon the parade of VIPs, rank-ordered, emerged through a Capitol door onto the platform itself.  That was our first signal that the two key moments for which we waited, the swearing in and the Inaugural Address, were approaching.  When former President Clinton emerged with his wife, I wondered if Hillary was thinking about what might have been.  When Malia and Sasha Obama entered, there was a long, appreciative chorus of “ooh’s” and “aah’s,” as well as applause and cheers. What a First Family we would have!

One of the few jarring notes of the day occurred when the incumbent President stepped onto the platform.  Scattered boos – startling because they were so uncharacteristic of an Obama crowd – would not have been countenanced by the man we supported.  He was unfailingly courteous to others, even when he disagreed with them or they with him.  Although few of us in that vast throng admired Mr. Bush, respect for the Office of the Presidency, which he would hold only a few more minutes, should have prevented any graceless behavior. 

The moment passed quickly. We knew who was next.  A swelling chorus of “O-BAM-a!  O-BAM-a!” from the masses. Then, there he was. The prolonged roar was deafening.  When I glanced up at the nearest Jumbotron I saw an image of a sea of small flags being waved jubilantly.  I glanced at my Nevada neighbor; she was weeping openly, comforted by her husband who seemed overcome himself.  I willed my own tears back to where I hoped they would stay – out of sight.

Well into the opening prayer by the Reverend Mr. Warren, another near neighbor became visibly agitated.  Others around me stirred restlessly.  They expressed openly what I was thinking:  This prayer is going on forever - much too long. Not for the first time I wondered, Why do so many clergy use a prayer to deliver a sermon or a speech?  Why not just thank God simply and ask His blessings on President-Elect Obama and the nation and get on with it?

That moment of irritation, born of my impatience for the Oath of Office and the Inaugural Address, passed, as did much of the remaining ceremony.  I was so focused on those rites that everything else was blotted out.  Someone nearby pulled me back into the present by muttering in a furious undertone, “It’s almost noon!  He’s supposed to be sworn in before noon!”

Later I learned that others, including some members of the various media, think that the President-Elect becomes President when he takes the Oath of Office.  Although the Constitution instructs the new President to take the Oath of Office “before he enter on the Execution of his Office” and dictates the Oath itself, Amendment XX makes it very clear that the President-Elect becomes President when the incumbent President’s term ends, precisely at noon on 20th January.

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